We all know that 2020 was a very peculiar year and of all the things that were affected, the cinema and the movie-going experience were impacted most intensively. For this particular reason, as we are waiting for the 93rd Oscar Ceremony to take place tonight as well as for the movies and the performers to take their spot in the pantheon of winners, I have found myself in the unfortunate position of a cinephile who has not seen enough movies to be able to create a list of 10 favourites. What is more, of all the films I've watched (and having in mind that most films have been delayed for the second half of 2021 and we had access mostly to the streamed films) few were the ones that would end up on my list either way (for example, I am one of those audience members who did not fall head over heels in love with Nomadland). So, this time, due to these extremely strange conditions, I will dedicate this space to the five 2020 films that have really stayed with me ever since I watched them.
No. 1: Hamilton
If there is
one film that truly characterises 2020 for me, that is most certainly the video recording of the tremendously successful musical
Hamilton, written by
Lin-Manuel Miranda and shot back in 2016. The movie might just be a video recording of a theatrical play, however it has been very important to me during this hard year of quarantining and isolation, for two reasons: Firstly, it was my only chance to watch such a beautiful show with the original 2015 cast, especially in such a year when travelling was not allowed and plays were cancelled. Secondly, the movie is
simply put amazing. The direction of the project was so professionally and smoothly done that it almost feels like everything was set up with a video recording in mind.
The camera moves so flawlessly around the actors making the viewer feel as if they are part of the play and not just as if they're sitting in the first row. And what can we say about the acting and singing and songwriting of such a musical that has gained so much praise, that has never been said before? Hamilton is truly one of the greatest modern musicals and it has rightly earned its place among the grandest American musicals of all time. As for the cast, one can only stay in silence and admire all the talented people who sing and dance and act non-stop for more than two hours. It is evident why this particular cast was the original one; they are all so perfect for their roles. If you have not yet watched Hamilton, I implore you to do so; it is an experience you will never forget.
No. 2: The Trial of the Chicago 7
I have already talked about this film
here on this blog and I still stand by what I said before. It truly is a phenomenal film dealing with a very serious subject but presenting it in a way that is both entertaining and educational.
Aaron Sorkin's script can be thick, detailed and filled with information, however, court films can be quite appealing and tend to keep you at the edge of your seat waiting to see the end of the case and the verdict, and
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is no exception to this rule.
Its huge cast (which includes really big names such as Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sacha Baron Cohen - who has also been nominated for Best Supporting Actor) does not distract from the plot; on the contrary all the characters are given time to develop and show the audience their motivations and beliefs. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is honestly one of the best court films out there, something that comes as no surprise, as Aaron Sorkin is familiar with the genre (A Few Good Men (1992) was also his work). Let's not, also, forget to mention the beautiful and to-the-point cinematography by Phedon Papamichael, who is also nominated tonight.
No. 3: The Father
Anthony Hopkins and
Olivia Colman. That's it; that's the movie. Maybe that's all you need to know about
The Father. However, you should also be informed that
Anthony Hopkins gives one of the best performances of his entire career in this film, portraying a man who suffers from Alzheimer's.
The Father, beautifully directed by
Florian Zeller and exceptionally edited by
Yorgos Lamprinos, who is nominated tonight, is a heart-breakingly hard film to watch in all its simplicity and theatricality. The marvelous editing and presentation of a rather simple subject makes this film one of the most unique, touching and undoubtedly dramatic movies you will ever watch.
No. 4: This is not a Burial, It's a Resurrection
Technically speaking, this is film from 2019. However, I had the fortune to watch this beautiful
piece of as art via streaming for the AIFF back in September. You can read the whole review
here.
This is not a Burial, It's a Resurrection is an extremely original story -
at least for a European such as myself - of an elderly woman living in Lesotho. The woman, having just lost every last member of her family and drowning in grief, finds out that the local authorities want to relocate her whole village elsewhere in order for a dam to be built. The woman takes it upon herself to make a stand to the authorities and make them understand that
this is her home,
this is where her family is buried and
this is where she and every other villager belong.
Lemonhang Jeremiah Mosese's creation is a tremendous film and one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is a movie filled with gorgeous shots reminiscent of paintings; one that may not be made for casual movie goers but it most certainly keeps a special place in my heart since the moment I watched it.
No. 5: Promising Young Woman
Finally, the last 2020 film that has really stayed with me is
Promising Young Woman starring
Carey Mulligan who undoubtedly carries the film on her shoulders and gives her best performance to date. The film is extremely relevant to the latest years' surge of feminism and girl power (especially after the events of the
#metoo movement); it almost feels like it would never have been made if this shift in social rights hadn't happened.
Promising Young Woman is an ode to women and their struggle to be respected in a man-governed society. It follows
Cassandra, whose life-goal seemingly is to catch in the act and punish every man who disrespects women. The movie is a strange combination of thriller and romantic comedy keeping you at the edge of your seat to see what
Cassandra has planned next and where she will end up. With an ending that can be easily characterised controversial,
Promising Young Woman is surely one of those films that you will remember.
So, there you have it. These are the five films that really made an impact to me this year. I will not be talking about performances this time, seeing as I do not believe that I had a very varied selection to go through, but I would be extremely happy if Anthony Hopkins and Carey Mulligan went home with the golden statue. Bear in mind, though, that the late Chadwick Boseman gave an equally jaw-dropping performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and it would not be surprising if he got a posthumous Oscar. Also, Riz Ahmed was great in The Sound of Metal. Last but not least, to me the greatest directing achievement this year was Florian Zeller's (The Father) who wasn't even nominated, so to each his own.
Which was your favourite film of the year?
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